Bald Hills Gully
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| | Difficulty:3B II (v3a2 II) Raps:3, max ↨49ft
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| Best season: | Oct-Apr (avg for this region)
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-33.5436, 150.4042
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Introduction
A short canyon close enough to Bells Line for golf balls to be fired into it.
In 2003 on the OzCanyons Yahoo group, Ian Knapp (RIP, Claustral 2007) responded to a hint by canyon exploring legend Dave Noble: Always wondered what Mill Creek would be like as we drive past it on the way to the "usual" spots. It looks quite dramatic from the road, deep and steep.
The Knapster's thoughts are the same as almost everyone else... being so close to the high-quality canyons of the Carmarthen Trilogy and Bowen's Creek, surely, if Mill Creek has a canyon so close to Bells Line then it would be known and published in guidebooks.... surely...
Approach
You could do a short loop from the Dismal Dingle saddle - there is a break in the barriers on the north side of Bells Line.
But surely most will prefer a longer walk to enjoy the beautiful Mill Creek. You can start at the Claustral car park, then finish on the fire trail on the north side of Mt Tomah.
Descent
Four drops:
- Short down-climb, aided by a large log on the right
- Tree left, rope and rap ring
- Vertical wedged log in creekbed, tape and rap ring, a two-stage drop
- Left, 2 drilled holes in a shelf with a threaded rope and rap ring
You should only get wet to the knees, but the two-stage abseil does have a pool below each short drop if you'd like to cool off.
Exit
From the junction with Mill Creek, you could continue up Mill Creek and exit to the Dismal Dingle saddle for a short loop.
But surely it's better to continue down Mill Creek to enjoy the lovely Coachwood forest gorge - a favourite objective of the Upper Blue Mountains Buchwalking Club.